§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence on what dates since January, 1971 the CS gaseous substance has been used by the British Army in Northern 63W Ireland, and in what areas ; and what numbers of canisters and cartridges have been discharged on each account.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithDetails of the operational use of CS smoke are as follows :
16 January Belfast 12 cartridges 3/4 February Belfast 1 grenade 13 June Dungiven 8 grenades 7 cartridges 8/9 July Londonderry 21 grenades 75 cartridges 9/10 July Londonderry 19 grenades 66 cartridges 10/11 July Londonderry 32 grenades 42 cartridges
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence on what dates since September, 1969 rubber bullets have been discharged by British Army personnel against civilians in Northern Ireland ; in what areas have these projectiles been used; and what number of these has been discharged on each occasion.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe information is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence on what dates since July, 1969, British Army personnel have used firearms in Northern Ireland and in what areas; what kinds of weapon were used ; and how many rounds of ammunition were discharged from each kind of weapon on each such occasion.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe frequency of the use of a great variety of firearms by British Army personnel in Northern Ireland, particularly for training, is such that disproportionate time and effort would be needed to provide this information.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions have members of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland testified as prosecution witnesses before the criminal courts in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThis information is not available.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence in what circumstances British Army personnel initiate prosecutions 64W in Northern Ireland ; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithCriminal proceedings in the civil courts of Northern Ireland are initiated by the Northern Ireland civil authorities.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence whether a military patrol active in Manor Street on 29th June, 1971, witnessed behaviour considered likely to cause a breach of the peace ; whether persons were apprehended by soldiers ; what charge or charges were levelled against the people detained; whether the military personnel who witnessed the original disturbances or activities or took part in the arrest of George Keech and Norman McGrath attended Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday, 2nd July, or on any other day with a view to giving evidence; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithA military patrol witnessed two men painting slogans on the gable end of 12, Beechpark Street. The men were apprehended and handed over to the military police who took them to Oldpark Police Station where they were charged with disorderly behaviour by the civil police. Military witnesses were summoned and appeared in the court; they did not give evidence as the accused pleaded guilty.
§ Miss Devlinasked the Minister of State for Defence whether the General Officer Commanding British troops in Northern Ireland has attended meetings of the Northern Ireland Government's Joint Security Committee, and on what dates since July, 1969.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland is a member of the Joint Security Committee and attends, or is represented at, all its meetings.
§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will list the occasions during the last 12 months when the Army in Northern Ireland has come under attack from gunfire and the occasions when the gunfire has been returned.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI regret that this information is not readily available in the form requested. There have been 65W numerous occasions in the last 12 months when the Army has been fired upon. Gunfire will have been returned on every occasion that the attacker presented a clear target and the lives of bystanders were not thereby endangered.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the military role in quelling disturbances in Londonderry on the nights of 6th and 7th July.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe Army assisted the civil power in dealing with disturbances on the two nights in question. It was subjected to attack from gunfire, petrol and gelignite bombs and stones. On two occasions soldiers opened fire to defend themselves from armed attack ; and rubber baton rounds were used to break up stone-throwing mobs.